Boston University: A Comprehensive Overview of Academics, Campus Life, and History
Boston University (BU), a private research university in Boston, Massachusetts, offers a wide array of academic programs and a vibrant campus life. From its humble beginnings as a Methodist theological school to its current status as a leading global research institution, BU has a rich history and a commitment to providing students with a transformative educational experience.
A Storied Past: From Newbury Biblical Institute to Boston University
Boston University traces its roots back to 1839 with the establishment of the Newbury Biblical Institute in Newbury, Vermont. In 1847, the institute relocated to Concord, New Hampshire, following an invitation from the Congregational Society. The institute underwent several name changes, including Methodist General Biblical Institute and Boston Theological Seminary, before finally being chartered as "Boston University" by the Massachusetts Legislature in 1869.
The founders of Boston University were three successful Boston businessmen and Methodist laymen: Isaac Rich, Lee Claflin, and Jacob Sleeper. Their vision was to create a university that was open to all, regardless of religious beliefs. This commitment to inclusivity was enshrined in the university's charter, which stated that "No instructor in said University shall ever be required by the Trustees to profess any particular religious opinions as a test of office, and no student shall be refused admission…"
A significant turning point in the university's history came with the bequest of Isaac Rich, who left the bulk of his estate to Boston University in 1872. However, the Great Boston Fire of 1872 destroyed most of the buildings Rich had bequeathed, leaving the university with limited resources.
Despite these challenges, Boston University continued to grow and evolve. In 1877, it became the first American university to award a PhD to a woman, Helen Magill White. The university also continued its tradition of openness, with Anna Oliver becoming the first woman to receive a degree in theology in the United States in 1878.
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Campus Evolution: From Scattered Beginnings to a Unified Campus
In its early years, Boston University was geographically scattered throughout the city. Seeking to unify the school and enable it to participate in the development of the city, school president Lemuel Murlin arranged for the purchase of the present campus along the Charles River between 1920 and 1928.
Under the leadership of President Harold C. Case (1951-1967), the campus underwent a significant transformation. The campus tripled in size, adding 68 new buildings. The first large dorms, Claflin, Rich and Sleeper Halls in West Campus were built, and in 1965 construction began on Warren Towers, designed to house 1800 students.
The presidency of John Silber also saw much expansion of the campus and programs. Silber set out to remake the university into a global center for research by recruiting star faculty.
Since 2006, the Charles River and Medical Campuses have undergone physical transformations, with new buildings, playing fields, and dormitory renovations. Notable additions include a 26-floor student residence at 33 Harry Agganis Way, the New Balance Playing Field, the Yawkey Center for Student Services, the Alan and Sherry Leventhal Center, the Law tower and Redstone annex, the Engineering Product Innovation Center (EPIC), the Rajen Kilachand Center for Integrated Life Sciences & Engineering, and the Joan and Edgar Booth Theatre.
Academic Programs: A Diverse Range of Disciplines
Boston University offers a wide range of academic programs through its 17 schools and colleges. Students can pursue bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, doctorates, and professional degrees in fields such as medicine, dentistry, business, and law.
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Some of the most popular majors at BU include business management, marketing, communication, and journalism. However, the university also offers a variety of other programs in areas such as engineering, science, the humanities, and the arts.
BU is committed to providing students with a rigorous and challenging academic experience. The university boasts a low student-faculty ratio of 10:1, which allows for smaller class sizes and more personalized attention from professors.
Spotlight on African American Studies Courses
Boston University offers a diverse range of courses within its African American Studies program, exploring various facets of Black experiences, cultures, and histories. These courses delve into literature, history, and cultural expressions, providing students with a comprehensive understanding of the African diaspora.
- What is the African American literary tradition?: This course explores African American literature through poetry, narratives, essays, and novels, examining the influence of culture, politics, and history.
- Introduction to Black Studies: This course examines the foundations of Black Studies as a discipline, its political and ideological roots, and its connection to Black radical thought and activism.
- Arts of Africa and Latin America: An exploration of the diverse artistic production of Africa and Latin America, highlighting the impact of their intertwined histories on visual expression.
- Black Containment: This course interrogates the theme of black containment from slavery and Jim Crow to, principally, mass incarceration.
- Visual and Performing Arts from Africa: Exploration of a diversity of visual and performing arts from Africa, including royal regalia, masquerades, and contemporary painting.
- Religion and Hip Hop Culture: Considers an often overlooked element in the study of hip hop culture, religion.
- Africa: The Continent: Explores the richness and diversity of a continent where oral histories and environmental settings have shaped society as much as written records
- African History: 1750 to the Present: Provides an introduction to African history over the past 175 years, including the end of slavery, colonial rule and anti-colonial revolt, decolonization and nationalism, and the opportunities and challenges of life in postcolonial Africa.
- The Archaeology of the African Diaspora: Reviews findings, methodology, and theory around key burial contexts. Emphasis on shifting dialogues, such as human remains stewardship, community engagement, and reburial.
- African American Women's History: Survey of African American women's history from the slave trade to the present, investigating its critical role in shaping the meaning of race, gender, and sexuality during slavery, Jim Crow, and the civil rights era.
- The African American Female Literary Tradition: Examines the African American female literary tradition through selected texts by African American women, written from slavery to the present.
- Race and American Politics and Policy: Combining research from history, political science, sociology, and economics, this course examines the role of race and ethnicity in shaping American politics and policy.
- Religions in the African Diaspora: This course offers a historical survey of religions practiced by people of African descent living in North America.
Campus Life: A Vibrant and Diverse Community
Boston University offers a vibrant and diverse campus life with a wide range of extracurricular activities and student organizations. Students can participate in sports, clubs, cultural events, and volunteer opportunities.
BU athletic teams compete in the Patriot League and Hockey East conferences. The university also has a strong tradition of student activism.
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Housing at BU is varied and includes everything from singles to six-person suites, from modern high rises to 19th-century brownstones. Additionally, numerous specialty communities-specific floors or houses for students with shared academic or cultural interests-exist on Boston University’s campus. BU guarantees housing to undergraduates for all four years of their studies.
Financial Aid: Making Education Accessible
Boston University is committed to making education accessible to students from all backgrounds. The university has met the full financial need of all domestic students who qualify for aid since 2020.
Forty-three percent of first-year students receive need-based financial aid, and the average net price for federal loan recipients is $27,779.
Contrasting BC and BU: Key Differences
While both Boston College (BC) and Boston University (BU) share the city of Boston, they offer distinct experiences. BC, located in Chestnut Hill, has a smaller undergraduate enrollment and a more campus-centered feel. BU, with its larger student body and urban campus, offers a more integrated city experience.
BC guarantees most undergraduates three years of on-campus housing, with the third year to be taken off campus, while BU guarantees housing for all four years. Both schools are part of the Boston Consortium, facilitating cross-registration and collaboration.
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